Mary Evelyn Evans was honored last week with an Award of Appreciation from the Declaration of Independence Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
The recognition came during a commemoration of the chapter’s 60th anniversary that took place Fri., Sept. 15, in the George County Courthouse courtroom. Evans was an organizing member when the chapter was formed on May 28, 1963. She has remained a devoted member and officer throughout the chapter’s 60 years.
Evans is a lifelong resident of George County. Her parents were the late Marion and Mary Dorsett. She was married to the late Edd Evans, and they reared three sons, Russell, Justin, and Durrett. She was the owner and operator of Lucedale Seed and Feed and has served her community in many civic organizations throughout her lifetime. She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Lucedale.
Mississippi Society Daughters of the American Revolution (MSSDAR) Coastal Plains Director Margaret Fish presented the plaque to Evans during a program led by Chapter Regent Nancy Jo Maples. The program recounted the chapter’s history as well as the chapter’s involvement in saving the George County Courthouse from demolition in the 1970s. Light refreshments were served on the first floor of the courthouse under the tasteful guidance of chapter member Linda Holland.
On display was a United States flag that had flown over the United States Capital on July 12, 2023. U.S. Congressman Mike Ezell made the request for the flag to be flown in honor of the Declaration of Independence Chapter and its milestone anniversary. Also on display were proclamations by the City of Lucedale and the George County Board of Supervisors. The proclamations commemorated the chapter on its history as well as acknowledged Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23. Awareness and respect for the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, is an annual mission of DAR.
The program took place in the upstairs courtroom of the 112-year-old courthouse. Chancery Judge Mark Maples introduced the event with historical facts about the courthouse and the upcoming Constitution Week. The jurist recessed court briefly for the DAR program. Junior ROTC members from George County High School presented the colors and led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance.
The 60th celebration drew a crowd of about 60 attendees including elected officials, community members, chapter members, and visitors from other DAR Chapters. On hand were Duchess de Chaumont Chapter Regent Candis McDuff and numerous members from that Pascagoula Chapter including Michele Gautier Lee who serves as MSSDAR Organizing Secretary and Kathleen Patterson who serves as MSSDAR Flag of the United States Chairman. From the Biloxi Chapter were Chapter Regent Carol Walters and Fish. MSSDAR First Vice-Regent Amelia Langford represented State Regent Cindy Mangum and the State Board of Management.
